(Newser)
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A group of third-graders in Georgia plotted to kill their teacher before another classmate told authorities, reports the Florida Times Union. Police confiscated a broken steak knife, handcuffs, and duct tape from the kids, who apparently were angry because the teacher scolded a girl for standing on a chair. The 8- and -9-year-olds are too young to be charged with a crime in Georgia.

"They definitely took steps toward the goal of hurting the teacher, but whether they would have carried through on it had there not been intervention, we can't say for sure," says the local police chief. The students, as many as nine boys and girls, began bringing weapons to school last week, police say.